Volta

Microplastic Contamination and Ecological Status of Freshwater Ecosystems: A Case Study in Two Northern Portuguese Rivers

BACKGROUND: Most European rivers have not yet achieved "good" ecological status. In addition, the presence and abundance of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater is a matter of great concern to the scientific community. METHODOLOGY: This study assesses the ecological status of four sampling sites of Selho (S1-S4) and Costa-Couros (C1-C4) rivers (Guimarães, Portugal), and the abundance of MPs in sediments and benthic macroinvertebrates (Oligochaeta) from those sites. RESULTS: All sites of both rivers under higher pressure did not reach a "good" ecological status (S2-S3, C2-C4) based on the macroinvertebrate community. High levels of nutrients were observed at all sites in both rivers (except C2), especially phosphorus. In the Oligochaeta's gut of Costa-Couros river, the high number of MPs seems to be …

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